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SATURDAY
December 26, 2020
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WHAT'S HAPPENING?
FOR THE DATE, TIME, AND LINKS
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HELEN SANDERS
12-26-2020
FROM MANGER TO MANHOOD
In order for the Lord to understand us as humans, He needed to be tempted as a human according to scripture. In Hebrews 4:15 it says, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus had to go from infancy to adulthood in order to accomplish this. He was tempted just like we are but did not give in to the sin.
When Jesus came and “tabernacled” with us, it means he made his dwelling with mankind. He did not come as a little baby to stay a baby. In Luke 2:52 we find the only thing we know about his youth besides the time he was teaching in the temple. It says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
It is no surprise that this was the case, since Proverbs teaches us to get wisdom because it is the principle thing, (Proverbs 4:7) so, growing in stature means he didn’t stay in the manger. He grew up. He matured. He went through everything a young person goes through, including puberty, but he did not sin.
Then it says he increased in favor with God and man. Jesus never sought a reputation to be the one that demanded worship. He often talked about servanthood. He taught plainly to plain people. He opened blind eyes. He touched lepers and healed them. He raised the dead. His reputation spread because he came to serve. To do this we also cannot stay babes in a manger and be fed milk as Christians. We are to mature, to grow up, and build a reputation of respect. We aren’t to be looked upon as someone better than someone else. We are to be servants just like he was.
He had to go through what he did so he can understand our infirmities. The word infirmities comes from the Greek word “asthenia” which means feebleness of mind or body, disease, sickness, and weakness. Don’t ever think that Jesus doesn’t understand what you are going through, because he bore our sicknesses, and infirmities and weaknesses. He understands better than anyone else.
Maturity comes from acknowledging our weaknesses to God and allowing Him to bear them. Maturity comes when we seek wisdom and live by the Word of God. Maturity comes when we serve rather than demand being served.
We, like Jesus can not stay in the manger. We must go beyond the infant stage and grow up. He knew exactly what his assignment was and lived it out. He knew there would be suffering, pain, and grief, but he did it for you and me. Let us find our peace in knowing this, and press into the promises of God as we, too mature by becoming more and more like Jesus.
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RUSSELL SANDERS
12-26-2020
THE CHRISTMAS SERIES – PART 6
THE MIGDAL EDER AND THE SHEPHERDS
The birth of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, revealed in the New Testament, is most appreciated, understood, and validated as truth when you see and understand the prophecies of Him in the Old Testament that were given hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah, among others, prophesied His birth, His death, and His rulership in the future kingdom. Micah 5:2 even gave Bethlehem as His birthplace.
There were also things in the New Testament era that were prophetic about Jesus’ birth and death. Aa good example of this has to do with one of the most remarkable stories of Jesus birth relating to the shepherds and their sheep, an untold story never shared in church.
The only story we ever hear is the one in Luke 2:8-20 about the angel’s announcement, their trip to the manger, and how they told of it to everyone all around, but that is the extent of the story told to us. However, there is so much more that is prophetic in the story which we never hear about.
There were shepherds and flocks all over Israel, but these were not just any shepherds and not just any sheep. These were very special. A passage written in the Jewish Mishnah (Shekalim 7:4) leads to the conclusion that these were the sheep from which came the lambs used for the sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. As the lambs were born, these were the shepherds specifically assigned to handle the birthing and care of these lambs. These were birthed, kept, and raised at a very special sheepfold in Bethlehem called “the tower of the flock”, or in Hebrew, the “Migdal Eder.” This “tower of the flock” is spoken of in Micah 4:8, “and thou, Oh Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shalt come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” The first dominion (rulership), the kingdom come, it all speaks of the coming of a ruler who proceeds out of the “tower of the flock,” where Jesus, our sacrificial lamb was born. He is the “stronghold.”
When the angel announced the birth and referred to the manger, the shepherds knew exactly where to go. The manger, a food trough for the sacrificial lambs, had been vacated (emptied) because all the sheep were being kept in the field day and night. They promptly headed to the Migdal Eder where they found the infant Messiah. He was born there because it was the only space available that would give them the needed privacy for a birthing event.
Just as the sacrificial lambs for the Temple in Jerusalem were born in the Tower of The Flock in Bethlehem, so also was the sacrificial Lamb of God born in the Tower of the Flock in Bethlehem to be sacrificed in Jerusalem.
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The Seven Prayer Mountains
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For those of you that missed Russell's excellent series on the Seven Prayer Mountains click the link below to read them all on our website. It is under the Title "The Seven Prayer Mountains". It lists all 11 of the articles which you can read individually
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OUR CHILDREN'S BOOK
The Trail to Trouble
by Helen Sanders
When Jason and his friend Sean go down a trail without permission and get lost, they learn a lesson the hard way.
This children's 30-page paperback story book teaches children character traits like listening, obeying Mom and Dad, and praying.
A great gift for any young child or grandchild.
Order yours today!
only $9.95 which includes S&H (U.S.)
For shipping outside the continental U.S. please contact us.
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Sunday - 12-20-2020 -----CHURCH ON THE NET
Laying the Foundation - the Principles to build your Christian life on Part 1
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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS -
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1:00 p.m. EST
Teaching from: 12-21-2020
Prayer with the saints and equipping
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REVELATION BIBLE STUDY
Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. EST
This week ( December 22) was Session 25 - chapter 18
The Fall of Babylon
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Session 80
The Doctrine of Laying of Hands
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LION OF JUDAH
God wants you to know this
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The Coronavirus origin and the cover-up
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Jonathan Cahn
An urgent message. - What do we do now?
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TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION -
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What is the most abundant element in the universe?
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YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION
Who was the only President to be elected four times?
The correct answer is:
Franklin D. Roosevelt
83.3% answered correctly with
Franklin D. Roosevelt
16.7 answered incorrectly with
Abraham Lincoln
2
We do not share these polls with any other sources. They are for your enjoyment and benefit only.
Answers must be in by 6 p.m. to be counted in the poll
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Do you believe 2021 will be worse or better than 2020?
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YESTERDAY'S SURVEY:
Are you able to whistle?
83.3% answered:
Yes
16.7% answered:
No
We do not share these surveys with any one. They are for your enjoyment only.
All poll answers must be submitted by 6:00 p.m to be included in the next day results
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What city were the disciples gathered together in at the upper room for the last supper?
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YESTERDAY'S
BIBLE QUIZ QUESTION:
How many people got saved after Peter preached on the day of Pentecost?
The Correct answer is:
3000
75% got it right with
3000
25% got it wrong with
120
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Answers must be in before 6 p.m. to be counted in the poll
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SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High
Psalm 92:1 KJV
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TODAY'S BIBLE TRIVIA QUIZ
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How long was Jesus missing when his parents finally found him teaching in the temple?
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ
How old was Jesus when he was circumcised?
The correct answer is:
8 days old
100% answered correctly with:
8 days old
We do not share these polls with any other sources. They are for your enjoyment and benefit only.
Your answers must be in by 6 p.m. of any given day to be counted in calculating the answers.
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If you know a young woman or teen that is addicted,
this ministry can help them.
Call for an interview.
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